Chocolate Mint Pizzelles

These Chocolate Mint Pizzelles are light and crisp cookies and the flavor is perfect for Christmas. These delectable treats are a breeze to prepare, requiring only a few simple ingredients and a pizzelle iron. The thin wafer-like cookie is a traditional Italian treat made during the holidays and so easy to make.

Cookie recipes don’t get much easier than this! The batter comes together quickly, and the iron does all the work, creating beautiful, intricate patterns on each one. Once baked, the pizzelles emerge with a delicate crunch and a delightful minty chocolate flavor that will have you reaching for more.

Growing up in an Italian and Ukrainian family I was lucky enough to eat many different dishes and sweets. My Dad and I would make classic anise pizzelle cookies every Christmas. On one of the last holidays I spent with him before he passed, we made them the very very old-fashioned way – one at a time as we did in this Classic Italian Pizzelles recipe. We so made his favorite Classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. It was a wonderful memory!

Of course, growing up Dad had a pizzelle iron that made four at a time, unlike the one I have which makes two. Years later as an adult, Dad inadvertently got rid of the cookie maker and I was heartbroken! I would have loved to have it!

This really is a simple recipe and once you make them, you’ll be hooked.

Chocolate Mint Pizzelles

When I was experimenting with this recipe, I first made them without the peppermint extract (okay, I just forgot to add it) and the chocolate flavor was amazing but lacking something. Yeah, the mint. Take two, I added only one teaspoon of mint extract. So not enough! Couldn’t even tell it was in there. Batch number three was a winner! One tablespoon of peppermint extract was perfect! Yes, I did say one tablespoon. Trust me. While you can also use a mint extract, the peppermint felt more holidayish.

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You should also use good quality unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa in this recipe. The batter can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This is convenient when you are making tons of baked goods. I usually make a double or triple batch ahead of time.

Timesaving Tips and Variations

• The batter can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
• Use good quality unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa.
• Instead of peppermint extract, you can use mint.
• Try replacing the peppermint extract with orange extract.
• Place a dollop of batter slightly off the center of the design (slightly off-center towards the back).
• Store wrapped in aluminum foil or in metal tins to maintain crispness.
• For some variations: dip a portion of the cookie in melted white chocolate and decorate with sprinkles or chopped hazelnuts.
• For a dessert idea: when the pizzelles are hot off the iron, wrap them around a thick wooden spoon handle or something similar and let them cool that way. Once cool, fill them with your favorite cannoli filling.
• Make an ice cream sandwich using two pizzelles.
• Dust them with powdered sugar.
• Roll them into a waffle cone shape, cool, and fill them with ice cream.

Such a pretty and tasty cookie for the Christmas season, but then can be made anytime of the year.

What is a Pizzelle Cookie?

Pizzelles are traditional Italian waffle cookies. The batter consists of melted butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and baking powder. The flavoring you add to them is usually anise, vanilla, or chocolate. Of course, adding other flavorings is fun to try.

They are thin and wafer-like and to make them you do need a special pressed iron machine. I mentioned that my appliance makes two cookies. Since they only take about a minute each to make, making two at a time didn’t take long at all.

A fun and festive twist on a traditional Italian sweet treat, they’re the perfect treat to brighten up your holiday season.

What is the Secret to Keeping Pizzelles Crispy?

Once you take the pizzelles off the iron, lay them flat on a cooling rack. Do not stack them. Stacking will cause them to be soft and not crisp. They need to cool and air dry for a bit before you can stack them and store them. I let them sit out for about an hour before storing them.

Also, allowing them to cool that long before tasting them is best as the pizzelles will be more flavorful. Tasting them straight from the pizzelle iron, will be good but let them cool completely and then give them a try again. The flavors will be enhanced.

How do you Store Pizzelles?

My grandma and my dad wrapped them in aluminum foil in stacks of 6 or 8. Why foil, you ask? If you store them in plastic containers or bags, the pizzelles will soften, but they taste delicious just the same. Wrapping them in foil maintains their crispness. You can also use a metal tin to store them. Trust me!

The reverse side of the cookie is just as pretty with the waffle pattern.

Can you Freeze Pizzelles?

Yes, you can freeze pizzelles. I’ve never done it as they are usually gone before I even think about doing so. However, before freezing, be sure they are completely cool and crisp. Wrap them in small stacks in aluminum foil and then store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

More Cookie Recipes to Try

Here are a few more delightful holiday treats to bake up for your family, friends, or anyone you want to share with.

• Double Chocolate Mint Cake Mix Cookies
• Twix Cookie Bars 
• Hot Chocolate Cookies
• Best Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies

Personally, I would make them all to share but save a few for myself!

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Recommended Tools for Making Pizzelles

This is one recipe that I specific tool is needed to make the recipe successfully. Other than that, common kitchen items are used.

• Cucina pizzelle iron
• mixing bowls
• whisk
• measuring cups and spoons
• small microwave-safe bowl
• wire cooling racks

Ingredients

One of the things I love about this recipe is that it uses what I have on hand. Other than the extract, you may too.

• flour
• unsweetened cocoa powder
• baking powder
• ground cinnamon
• finely grated orange zest
• fine salt
• eggs, at room temperature
• granulated sugar
• unsalted butter, melted, cooled to room temperature
• peppermint extract
• non-stick spray

Simple ingredients quite often make the best tasting sweets and treats. Keep your pantry stocked!

How to Make this Chocolate Mint Pizzelle Recipe

Step 1

Whisk the flour, cocoa, baking powder, cinnamon, orange zest, and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar, peppermint extract, and melted butter together until smooth and combined.

Step 3

Gradually add the sugar egg mixture into the dry ingredients until combined. The batter will be thick.

Step 4

Preheat a pizzelle iron, for about 5 minutes. Lightly spray the hot surface with nonstick cooking spray or brush with vegetable oil. The iron I use has a light indicator for when it’s preheated and ready to use. Always check the manufacturing directions of the press you have before using it.

Step 5

Spoon about a tablespoon of the batter into the center of each imprint. I use two spoons to help get the batter off of the spoon and onto the griddle. The batter is very thick. Also, if you place a dollop of batter slightly off the center of the design (slightly off-center towards the back), you’ll have a more even cookie. When you close the lid on the iron, it presses the batter a bit forward.

Step 6

Close the iron and cook for about 45 – 50 seconds. Open and remove from the iron using a fork or thin flat spatula, lay them flat, and cool on a rack. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Step 7

Allow pizzelles to lay flat and cool completely, for about an hour to maintain their crispness before storing as directed in the recipe card.

Enjoy your Italian treats with a cup of coffee or tea or top vanilla ice cream with them.

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Printable Recipe Card

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